The Altra Lone Peak 7 is a popular trail running shoe known for its comfort, wide toe box, and zero drop. It is popular for runners of all levels, from beginners to experienced athletes. I tested the Lone Peak 7 for hiking and found it is also a good choice for hikers who want a comfortable and responsive shoe with a wide toe box.
I hiked 40 miles in these shoes, including a five-day hike from Bologna to Florence, where I tested the Lone Peak 7 against two other very popular trail running shoes for hikers.
There is a trail runner that is better than the Altra Lone Peak 7. Check out my comparison review here.
Fit and Comfort
The Altra Lone Peak 7 is known for its comfortable and wide toe box. The shoe has a foot-shaped design allowing your toes to spread naturally. This is especially important for very long hikes, as it can help to prevent blisters and other foot problems. There is plenty of room to allow for swollen feet after an 18-mile hike.
The Altra EGO midsole is a joy to walk in – reactive and comfortable.
Support my efforts to test the best hiking shoes worldwide and purchase your Altra Lone Peak 7s here. It costs you nothing but keeps me going.
The Lone Peak 7 also has a zero drop from heel to forefoot. This means that your heel and forefoot are at the same height, which can help to promote a more natural gait. Zero-drop shoes can also help to reduce stress on your joints and muscles.
In my experience, swapping these shoes out every day on my five-mile hike, I found that my feet were more fatigued than when I was wearing the HOKA Speedgoat 5 or the Brooks Cascadia 16. This might be because I had not adequately acclimated my feet.
The Altra Lone Peak 7 requires more from you as a hiker than a more traditional shoe, and therefore, I think it behooves you to train more in them than you might in a more conventional shoe BEFORE you set off on an 85-mile thru-hike.
Stability
The Altra Lone Peak 7 is a minimalist shoe and requires you, as the user, to be more aware of where you are placing your foot.
I found them less stable than the other shoes when they were off-camber. I never slipped out of the shoes, but sometimes my heel slipped inside the shoe.
The feel is more like a mocassin than a hiking boot. You are grounded and in contact with the trail, for better or worse.
Protection
The Lone Peak 7 also has a StoneGuard midsole that helps to protect your feet from sharp rocks and other debris.
On trail I found the underfoot protection to be adequate. I walked five days straight in these shoes and had zero issues with injuries to the bottom of my feet.
In head-to-head testing against the Brooks Cascadia 16 and the HOKA Speedgoat 5 for protection underfoot, I found the Altra Lone Peak 7 less protective. They have a smaller stack height compared to the other two shoes.
The appeal of the Altra Lone Peak 7 is their minimalist design that keeps you connected and in contact with the trail.
They come with a toe cap and mesh upper, providing similar protection to other trail shoes for the top of the foot.
Traction
The Altra Lone Peak 7 is a responsive shoe with good traction on various surfaces. The shoe has a MaxTrac outsole with multi-directional lugs that grip well on rocks, roots, dirt, and ancient Roman roads.
Part of my hike was on a Roman military road between Bologna and Florence in the mountains. It was epic. Read more about this hike here.
Over the 40 miles hiking in these shoes, I did not have significant issues with traction.
Time-to-dry
I tested the Altra Lone Peak 7 for time-to-dry against the two other trail runners, and they performed well.
I took the dry weight of each shoe, then dunked them in water and reweighed them. I reweighed them each hour for nine hours. See the graph below.
The Altra Lone Peak 7 remained about 5% above their dry weight after nine hours.
Overall Impression
The Altra Lone Peak 7 is a great all-around trail running and hiking shoe. It is comfortable, responsive, and durable. The shoe is also suitable for people with wide feet or who want a lot of toe room.
Here is a more detailed look at the pros and cons of the Altra Lone Peak 7:
Pros:
- Comfortable and responsive
- Wide toe box
- Zero drop from heel to forefoot
- Good traction on a variety of surfaces
- Decent protection
Cons:
- Not as stable as some other trail running shoes for hiking
- Can be more tiring to hike in for long distances
- Some people find the zero drop to be too low
Who Should Buy the Altra Lone Peak 7?
The Altra Lone Peak 7 is a good choice for trail runners and hikers of all levels. I suggest significant training in the shoe before you embark on a long multi-day hike. You will need to strengthen your feet and ankles since the shoe does less work for you than traditional trail shoes.
It is perfect for people with wide feet or who want a lot of toe room. The Lone Peak 7 is also a good choice for people who want a comfortable, responsive shoe with zero drop.
Who Should Not Buy the Altra Lone Peak 7?
The Altra Lone Peak 7 is not the best choice for people who need a lot of support or who need a shoe with a heel drop. The Lone Peak 7 is also not the best choice for people new to trail running or hiking, as it can take some time to adjust to the zero drop.
Here are some additional things to consider when deciding whether or not the Altra Lone Peak 7 is the right shoe for you:
- Foot type: The Lone Peak 7 is a good choice for people with wide feet or who want a lot of toe room. However, it may not be the best choice for people with narrow feet or who need a lot of support.
- Terrain: The Lone Peak 7 is a good choice for various terrain, including trails, roads, and rocks. However, it may not be the best choice for very technical terrain or for people who need a lot of cushioning.
- Distance: The Lone Peak 7 is a good choice for short to medium-distance runs and hikes. However, it may not be the best choice for long distances or people who need a lot of cushioning.
